Sewing-machine feeding mechanism



(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 1.

G. P. BOSWORTH.

SEWING MAGHINE FEEDING MECHANISM. No. 371,414. Patented Oct 11,1887.

2 'sheets sneet 2.

Patented Oct. 11,1887,

N PETERS PhMO-Lifilngnphur. Washinglon. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT rrrcao CHARLES FTBOSIVORTH, OF MILFORD, CONNECTICUT.

SEWING-MACHINE FEEDING MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentNo. 371,414, dated (October 11, 1887.

Application filed March 30, 1887. Serial No. 232,907.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. Boswoa'rn, of Milford, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented new Improvements in Sewing-Machines; and I do hereby declare the following, when taken in connection with accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon, to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, and which said drawings constitutepazt of this specification, and represent, in-

Figure 1, a front view of the machine complete; Fig. 2, a rear view of the lower portion of the machine, showingthe invention; Fig; 3, a feed end view of the machine, showing the feed-block in place; Fig. 4, a feed end View, the feed-block and looper removed, showing the vertical bar T, and also the eccentric on the driving-shaft by which vertical movement is imparted to the feed-block; Fig. 5, a perspective view of the feed-block detached; Fig. 6, a top view, the work-plate removed, and the supporting-arm broken away to show the invention; Fig. 7, a longitudinal section through the feed-eccentric, showing the eccentric block and stirrup; Fig. 8, atransverse section through the driving-shaft, looking toward the feed-eccentric; Fig. 9, a horizontal section through the same.

This invention relates to an improvement in that class ofsewing-machines commonly k uown as the \Villcox & Gibbs. The character of this machine adapts it to run at very great velocity; but in heavier work-that is, such as straw for hats, &c.-under great velocity of running there is so great Vibration to the neodle-arm as to interfere with the proper working of the parts. Again, under such rapid work the feed of the usual construction is not as positive as is required for this class of work. The object of my invention is to adapt the machine to thehighestvelocity, and especially to the sewing of straw braid.

The general outline of the machine is the same as that known as the Willcox &Gibbs,

and in which the supporting-arm is of C shape, one end carrying the work-plate and the other end carrying the needle and presserfoot bars.

A represents the d riving-shaft,which is supported in the, usual bearings, B B, and carries the pulley C at one end and the looper D at the opposite end, as in the usual construction.

E is the arm, which extends upward over and downward toward the \vorlcplate, carries the needlebar F in the usual manner, and to which an up-and-down reciprocating movement is imparted through the ncedlobar G, also in the usual manner.

In the usual construction the end of the arm E is disconnected from the bed of the machine, and under rapid work is liable to vibration. To avoid such vibration I introduce a bracket, H, of right-angular shape, one branch, H, secured to the end of the arm E and extending inward, the other branch, I, turned downward and secured to the base. This bracket I-II leaves sufficient space upon the cloth-plate for the widest braid, and firmly connects the usual free end of the arm E directly to the base and so as to secure it against possible vibration.

J represents thei'eed,\vhich is ofusual shape, presenting series of teeth upon its surface, adapted to engage the work through the workplate K. The work-plate K is of small extent compared to the usual work-plate of this machine, but sufficient for braid-sewin The feed is secured to or made a part of a block, L, which stands beneath the work-plate, while the feed J extends up through an opening in the plate. The up-anddown movement required for the feed is imparted by an eccentric, M, on the drivingshaft, from which a connecting-rod, N, extends downward, and is hung to a stud, O, on the block L. Advance and retreating movement is imparted to the feed through a lever, P, (see Fig. 6,) which is hung to the frame or base near the pulley, upon a fulcrum, 1t, and so as to swing in a horizontal plane substantially parallel with the plane of the d riving-shal't. This lever extends forward through. a slot, S, in the frame of the machine, and at its forward end the lever P carries a vertical bar, T, (see Figs. 4 and 6,) on the advance side of the connectingrod N. The feed-block L is constructed with a vertical groove, U, corresponding to the vertical bar T of the levcrR. and so as to set over that bar, as seen in Fig. 6. This bar serves as a guide for the up and-down movement of the feed-block. To the lever R avibratory movement is given by means of an eccentric, \V, on the drivingshaft A. The

eccentric \V works in a cylindrical block, V, the axis of which block is vertical, or at right angles to the axis of the driving-shaft, (see Fig. 9,) the cylindrical'block V being free to move longitudinally on the eccentric.

Attached to the lever P, or made a part of it, is a saddle, a, (see Figs. 8 and 9,) which spans the cylindrical block V, the saddle be- I movementrequired. This horizontal vibratory movement, being communicated to the feed-block L through the bar T, gives to it the required transverse reciprocating movement-r The cylindrical shape of the eccentric-block permits the oscillation of the saddle ot' the lever P thereon, and it being free longitudinally on the eccentric, is adapted to slide thereon to adapt itself to the vibratory movement of the lever P.

In order to vary the feed the eccentric is made double. By applying an eccentric-sleeve, 1), outside the eccentric WV, both the eccentricsleeve 1) and the eccentric W being adjustable rotarily on the shaft, the extent of eccentricity may be varied to any desirable extent within the range of the two eccentrics. This is' a common eccentric adjustment, not necessary to be particularly described.

By making the positive connection which I have described between the feed and the driving-shaft, to communicate the transverse reciprocating movement to the feed, there is no possibility of loss or over-motion, and consequently the feed is necessarily of the most regular character. The up and down movement of the feed being imparted positively from the driving-shaft, there is an equal certainty as to the movement of the-feed in this direction, and because of the positive character of both the advancing and retreating movement ofthe feed and of its up-and-down movementthere is no limit to the speed at which the machine may be run.

I Guides are employed to mechanically carry the braid to the machine, that it may also be presented in the proper relation to the needle and feed; but these constitute no part of my present invention, and may be common and well-known guides.

While my invention is designed to adapt the machine especially for straw-braid sewing, the improvements are equally advantageous in any case where very rapid and good quality of work is desirable.

I claim-- 1. In a sewing-machine substantially such as described, having an arm extending over the work-plate and carrying a vertical needlebar, the combination therewith of a bracket, one branch secured to the free end of said arm and the other branch turned downward and secured to the base, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In a machine substantially such as described, the combination of the driving shaft, a lever hung to swing in a horizontal plane substantially parallel with the plane of the driving shaft and carrying at its free end a vertical bar, T, an eccentric on the driving shaft, and connection therefrom to said lever, whereby the rotation of the driving-shaft imparts transverse vibratory movement to said lever, a feed-block, L, carrying the feed Jand guided vertically on said arm '1", of the lever P, with an eccentric on the drivingshaft, and connection therefrom tosaid block, substantially as described, whereby the advancing and retreating movement of the feed is imparted through said lever P and the up-and-down movement/of the feed is imparted direct from the driving shaft. I

3. In a sewing-machine substantially such as described, the combination of a lever, P, hung to the baseand so as to swing in ahorizontal plane substantially parallel with the plane of the driving-shaft, an eccentric on said driving-shaft, a cylindrical block, V, around said eccentric, the axis of said cylindrical block being at right angles to the axis'of the drivingshaft, a saddle, a, forming a part of the lever P and embracing said cylindrical eccentricbloek, the said lever carrying a vertical bar, 'I, at its outer end, and. feed-block L, carrying the feed J and guided vertically on said bar T,

with an eccentric on the driving shaft, and, in

'connection with said feed-block, to impart upand-down reciproeati ng movement to said feedblock, all substantially as and for the purpose described.

CHARLES F. BOSWORTH.

Witnesses:

Tnos. F. FOGARTY, WM. G. MITCHELL. 

